Bollywood legend Shashi Kapoor has died at the age of 79.

Shashi Kapoor, who acted in huge hits like Deewar and Kabhie Kabhie, had been ill for some time and was in hospital.

The actor and producer was a member of the Kapoor dynasty, which has dominated the Hindi film industry for decades.

Shashi Kapoor won several national film awards and was awarded the Padma Bhushan civilian honor by the Indian government in 2011. He also acted in a number of American and international movies.

He died at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in the western city of Mumbai.

His nephew, actor Randhir Kapoor, told Press Trust of India: “Yes he has passed away. He had kidney problem since several years. He was on dialysis for several years.”

The funeral will be held on December 5, he said.

Image source Wikimedia

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Shashi Kapoor was married to late English actress Jennifer Kendal, with whom he set up Mumbai’s iconic Prithvi Theater in 1978. His sister-in-law is British actress Felicity Kendal.

He his career as a child actor and appeared in more than 150 movies, including a dozen in English. He became known internationally for his roles in Merchant Ivory productions like Shakespeare-wallah and Heat and Dust.

In 2015, Shashi Kapoor was given the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award, the highest honor in Indian cinema.

He was known for his charming smile and was often described by his fans as the “handsomest star ever”. He had a huge fan following among women.

Shashi Kapoor was cast alongside superstar Amitabh Bachchan in some of the biggest Bollywood blockbusters of the 1970s and 1980s, and the two actors played brothers, best friends or rivals.

His comment in Deewar – “Mere paas maa hai” (But I have mother’s support) – during a tense confrontation with screen-sibling Amitabh Bachchan tops the list of best Bollywood lines for millions of fans around the globe.

Over the years, it has found its way on to merchandise like shoulder bags, coffee mugs and cushion covers.

As news of Shashi Kapoor’s death spread, fans took to social media to express their grief and pay tributes, led by Indian PM Narendra Modi: “Shashi Kapoor’s versatility could be seen in his movies as well as in theatre, which he promoted with great passion. His brilliant acting will be remembered for generations to come. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers.”